Following the capture of the usurper Roman Emporer, Valerian, the rule of Rome in Syria was divided between Valerian's two sons, Macrianus and Quietus. Neither son had expertise in warfare so, within a two year period (260 - 261 A.D.) both sons were defeated by the true Emporer of Rome, Gallienus, and deposed of by execution. During this two year period the mint at Antioch struck eight antoninianus coins (mintage of each variety is unknown), with a bust of Quietus facing right on the obverse and with various reverses. The antoninianus (actual name unknown) was a Roman coin that was valued at 2 denarii. It was initially silver, but was slowly debased to bronze. The coin was introduced by Caracalla in early 215 and was a full silver coin similar to the denarius except that it was slightly larger and featured the emperor wearing a radiate crown, indicating that it was valued at twice as much. One featuring Quietus is this antoninianus whose reverse has Aequitas standing left holding scales and a cornucopia; star in field; http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit007.jpg Another is this one whose reverse has Apollo standing left, holding branch and resting hand on lyre; star in left field; http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit010.jpg And this third one's reverse has Indulgentia seated left, holding patera and scepter. http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit005.jpg This fourth one's reverse has Jupiter seated left, holding patera and scepter; eagle to left. http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit002.jpg This fifth one has Roma seated left, holding Victory and spear; star in left field on the reverse. http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit004.jpg This sixth one's reverse depicts Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe; star in left field. http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit003.jpg This seventh one's reverse shows Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising skirt; star in left field. http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit008.jpg This eighth and final antoninianus has Aequitas standing left, star in upper left field on the reverse. http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/natto/id/quietus/quit009.jpg Did you notice that in the first seven obverses Quietus wore a radiate crown and in the eighth one he wore a laureate crown? Clinker
Clinker,that is very interesting.I had never heard of either Emperor Macrianus or Emperor Quietus,that is until now. Aidan.
As usual a very educational post. The one thing that puzzles me about those ancient Romans is why all the funny names. You never hear of a Sam, John, Joe, Mary or any normal names. I wonder if they were trying to start a new trend in names? And then there is the thing with all the names ending in US.
acanthite.... You're very welcome...Many other countries had "usurpers to the crown" and/or "pretenders to the throne" very little is known about... Clinker
Languages, their easiness to pronunciate, or their difficulty to pronunciate (some vowels like the English "H" or the Oriental "R") give nuances to the naming of individuals (also the pleasing sounds given to a name by an extenuation of a singular notation) whether that notation is for family or for position. Clinker
